Caretaker boss Mark Lillis, who will harbour his own ambitions of securing the job on a full-time basis, took charge for Town's 5-3 extra-time win at Chesterfield on Tuesday night and was given a rousing reception by supporters throughout.

But while Lillis is expected to take to the dugout once more on Saturday for the Terriers' trip to Cardiff City, chairman Dean Hoyle is targeting experienced external candidates for the vacancy, which would appear to rule out Lillis and fellow current coach Steve Thompson.

Any successor would be expected to follow a similar blueprint to the one facilitated by Robins during his time at the club and try to promote Town's cluster of talented young players.

Lillis and Thompson figure in the betting markets, but who else is in line for the managerial void?

15: Simon Grayson (25/1)

Robins' predecessor at Town sneaks into the top 15 as a 25/1 long shot but it is doubtful that Grayson would return to the John Smith's Stadium, particularly given his attempts to guide current club Preston North End back into the Championship.

14: Brian Laws (25/1)

Alongside a former Town manager at 25/1 is a former Town player in Brian Laws. He was most recently in charge at Scunthorpe United but was sacked after an FA Cup defeat at another of his previous clubs Grimsby Town. Would certainly be a gamble but did achieve success with the Iron.

13: Malky Mackay (20/1)

Not considered one of the frontrunners by the bookies but Town fans would welcome his arrival given his top-flight managerial pedigree and links with Town's Director & Head of Football Operations Ross Wilson but his tumultuous relationship with Bluebirds owner Vincent Tan must also be taken into account.

12: Tim Sherwood (20/1)

His inexperience in managerial terms would surely count against him given his only job in that capacity came in an 18-month stint with Tottenham last season but the passion and desire he showed in the White Hart Lane dugout, if slightly exaggerated at times, gives him a chance.

11: Steve Thompson (20/1)

Drafted in by Robins as his right-hand man for this season, it seems natural for Thompson to be linked with the post, but Hoyle's comments would almost certainly mean he remains on the coaching staff at most.

10: Mark Lillis (20/1)

Lillis faces a similar scenario in his hopes of sealing the position but he has a small advantage over Thompson in that he has already been entrusted with guiding Town through their interim period without a manager on a caretaker basis.

9: Jackie McNamara (20/1)

The Scot seems a popular choice after his success in bringing through Dundee United's golden generation and achieving relative success in emerging as Celtic's primary rivals for the Scottish Premiership crown, including the likes of Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong.

8: Owen Coyle (20/1)

Out of work since his unsuccessful spell in charge of Wigan Athletic, Coyle represents a proven performer at Championship level having achieved promotion with Burnley but did also oversee Bolton Wanderers' relegation from the Premier League after an 11-year stay.

7: Neil Warnock (16/1)

Held in high regard by Town fans after steering the Terriers to promotion from Division Two by beating Bristol Rovers in a play-off final. Has not been in a job since leaving Leeds United last year but his controversial manner may dissuade the men upstairs at Town.

6: Billy Davies (16/1)

It seems appropriate that Davies should be equal odds with Warnock given his equally fiery nature, which saw him impose a media blackout during his second stint in charge at Nottingham Forest. His reputation has nosedived and it would be a risk on Town's part to hand him the reins.

5: Gianfranco Zola (14/1)

Could prove a popular choice in that he can follow on from the work set in place by Robins and develop Town's brand of passing football, but doubts linger over his ability to get the most out of his players, with his resignation from Watford linked to his side's poor performances despite a wealth of top foreign imports.

4: Brian McDermott (10/1)

Hung out to dry by Leeds United and, in particular, the controversial Massimo Cellino and could fancy the prospect of moving to bitter rivals Town to show the Italian Chairman his decision to remove him from the Elland Road hotseat was unjust.

3: Tony Mowbray (10/1)

Has never truly lit any of the clubs he has managed alight with the exception of West Bromwich Albion, where he won the Championship title after losing in the play-off final the year before. What he does offer is stability, something he managed during his early years with Middlesbrough and what Town could use right now.

2: Neil Lennon (15/2)

Would undoubtedly be the most high-profile appointment from those on the list and was prolific in terms of trophies won during his time at Celtic, with three league titles and two Scottish Cups testament to that, but it remains to be seen whether the Town job is the one to force him back into management.

1: Steven Pressley (1/2)

The odds-on favourite for the post and fits the profile of manager Town want to replace Robins. Brings with him a desire towards nurturing youth and promotes a positive brand of football, while he also has links to Ross Wilson.

Question marks remain over whether Town would want to snare a second successive Coventry City manager and, equally, the likelihood of the Sky Blues sanctioning his departure.